Opposite, by Chester C. Topple
July 1, 2012
Santa Fe
Scripture Acts: 5:33-42
Daddy tends to have knee jerk reactions when things aren’t going according to plan.
Last Sunday for instance, we had a little tussle before leaving for MorningSong - the 8:30 rooftop worship service. I was running behind, and she wanted some water.
Okay fine.
She then wanted to fill it herself
Okay fine
She then wanted to put the top on...the problem was that this top was a little tricky...clock’s ticking, time for daddy to do it his way.
Mistake #1 - don’t grab the top from your three year old -.
Mistake #2 - don’t then grab your three year old and try to get her in the car.
Learn something new everyday, right?
That afternoon, Trasie introduced the concept:
Do the opposite of what you think you want to do; when you’re emotionally charged..
….Does that just apply to life with a three year old?
Stretching it a bit, and going to the story from scripture today, I think this is the logic that Gamaliel uses when dealing with his fellow brethren of the High Council.
There are these stubborn pesky Jesus freaks around,
- don’t want to obey anything the High Council tells them.
- It’s been awful for the Power people, since the healing of the crippled beggar back by the Beautiful Gate.
- This is the third time Peter and the other apostles are being called to the carpet!
- our wrist slap the first time didn’t work.
- The second time, They escaped...somehow...from jail
How are we going to shut these guys up?
Third time’s a charm... time to SILENCE them once and for all...
Wait, Hands OFF! says the Pharisee Gamaliel.
There have been others who led masses - Theudas, Judas the Galilean, Jerry Falwell -when they died their following scattered.
These followed...shhh...
“I wasn’t going to say the name, but these followed you know who.”
If it’s of God, there’s nothing we can do.
If it’s not, they’ll disappear like water in the desert.
Let’s do the opposite of what we think we want to do.
Let ‘em go.
After a good whippin’ of course....39 Lashes!
Shamefully dragged before the crowds, the disciples are stripped and the whipping begins.
Maybe after lash #7 John wonders, what am I doing?
Maybe with #20, Peter wonders, is this worth it.
27, 28, 29...numbness...
37, 38, 39...That oughta do the trick....
one would think.
I mean isn’t life all about avoiding pain?
IN our society it’s all about safety, saving face, and living free of suffering.
July 1, 2012
Santa Fe
Scripture Acts: 5:33-42
Daddy tends to have knee jerk reactions when things aren’t going according to plan.
Last Sunday for instance, we had a little tussle before leaving for MorningSong - the 8:30 rooftop worship service. I was running behind, and she wanted some water.
Okay fine.
She then wanted to fill it herself
Okay fine
She then wanted to put the top on...the problem was that this top was a little tricky...clock’s ticking, time for daddy to do it his way.
Mistake #1 - don’t grab the top from your three year old -.
Mistake #2 - don’t then grab your three year old and try to get her in the car.
Learn something new everyday, right?
That afternoon, Trasie introduced the concept:
Do the opposite of what you think you want to do; when you’re emotionally charged..
….Does that just apply to life with a three year old?
Stretching it a bit, and going to the story from scripture today, I think this is the logic that Gamaliel uses when dealing with his fellow brethren of the High Council.
There are these stubborn pesky Jesus freaks around,
- don’t want to obey anything the High Council tells them.
- It’s been awful for the Power people, since the healing of the crippled beggar back by the Beautiful Gate.
- This is the third time Peter and the other apostles are being called to the carpet!
- our wrist slap the first time didn’t work.
- The second time, They escaped...somehow...from jail
How are we going to shut these guys up?
Third time’s a charm... time to SILENCE them once and for all...
Wait, Hands OFF! says the Pharisee Gamaliel.
There have been others who led masses - Theudas, Judas the Galilean, Jerry Falwell -when they died their following scattered.
These followed...shhh...
“I wasn’t going to say the name, but these followed you know who.”
If it’s of God, there’s nothing we can do.
If it’s not, they’ll disappear like water in the desert.
Let’s do the opposite of what we think we want to do.
Let ‘em go.
After a good whippin’ of course....39 Lashes!
Shamefully dragged before the crowds, the disciples are stripped and the whipping begins.
Maybe after lash #7 John wonders, what am I doing?
Maybe with #20, Peter wonders, is this worth it.
27, 28, 29...numbness...
37, 38, 39...That oughta do the trick....
one would think.
I mean isn’t life all about avoiding pain?
IN our society it’s all about safety, saving face, and living free of suffering.
